Korea University of Technology and Education is looking to further contribute to the practical application of science and technology by expanding its Professional Science Master programs, officials said Wednesday.

The KOREATECH PSM aims to train professionals that would “commercialize science and lead the development of science-intensive industries.”

The PSM movement was initiated in the United States in 1997, in response to calls to integrate practical and science and technological knowledge. There are currently over 300 related programs around the world,

In Korea, the government’s plan to create international science business belts has propelled science and technology-related projects.

KOREATECH has been fostering science and business professionals via its PSM program, headed by professor Kim Byung-Keun. In addition to government support, KOREATECH’s know-how for its field-first approach in education is encompassed in the program.

The university opened the department of IT convergence, science and management along with the department of semiconductors, display and management in 2013 to boost its technological competence. It has also held annual training programs for students at Rugters University and hosted scholars from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Sussex and Cranfield University for seminars.

”The demand for PSM will continue to increase as the science business belt expands and the science business plaza is built in Cheonan. We need to expand and develop our PSM education programs,” said Kim.

KOREATECH PSM program will continue to develop courses that are highly demanded by the industry, while providing opportunities for field experience, internship and capstone design projects for students. It also plans to expand cooperation with other universities across the world with PSM programs.

By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)